With worldwide quarantines and lockdowns in place, service industry workers, performers and thousands of others are left with unemployment and without a paycheck. Many drag performers had to cancel all upcoming shows and tour dates. Suddenly losing a source of income can cause an unbelievable amount of stress for ANYONE but people like Lousianna Purchase may have it a bit harder.
Lousianna is a veteran drag performer from Austin, Texas. She recently competed on the show “Dragula” which encompasses a range of unique performers who compete in fashion as well as ‘fear factor’ type challenges. On the show Lousianna opened up about how unaccepting her parents were of her being queer and even recalled a disappointing childhood memory. When sick and going to the doctor with their mother, the doctor called 13 year old Lousianna out for her feminine mannerisms and asked if they had been having sexual relations with a man because they could have HIV. Lousianna recalled her mother saying “if you have that disease don’t bother coming home.” Fortunately, 13 year old Lousianna was just sick with a cold or flu.
When queer people like Lousianna suddenly lose their main source of income, have no family support, and live pay check to pay check this situation could be disastrous for ones livelihood. As someone who has been such an inspiration to me and to all of the Austin LGBTQ+ community it hurts me immensely to see her and others in a situation like this.
In times like this, those of us able to give should. If you are not able to give sharing posts and creating awareness or even tuning into a virtual drag show can make such a big difference.
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